First Quantum's Kansanshi expansion exceeds design capacity
2026-10-22 11:19:09 [Print]
First Quantum Minerals' US$1.2 billion Kansanshi expansion in Zambia is on track to process 8% more ore than its design capacity in 2026.
The operation is expected to process about 27 million tonnes of ore this year, exceeding the new plant's annual design capacity of 25 million tonnes, the company said Wednesday. Strong equipment availability, utilisation and milling performance have helped the facility surpass its throughput target.
The higher processing rates allow Kansanshi to handle substantial quantities of lower-grade sulphide ore, helping offset declining grades as the mine expands production. The additional capacity is central to First Quantum's efforts to rebuild copper output following Cobre Panama's shutdown.
Zambia has since become the company's main copper-producing jurisdiction, accounting for about 93% of group output in 2025.
Commissioned in August 2025, the S3 expansion includes a new sulphide processing line, additional smelting capacity and a new open pit. The project nearly doubles Kansanshi's ore-milling capacity and increases smelter throughput by about 25%.
The expansion is expected to lift annual copper production to an average of 250,000 tonnes through 2044, compared with 181,183 tonnes in 2025, an increase of about 38%.
Kansanshi, once Africa's largest copper mine, produced 6% more copper last year than in 2024, helped by the commissioning of S3. The new circuit contributed about 25,000 tonnes of copper in 2025 and achieved commercial production in December.
First Quantum has forecast Kansanshi copper production of 175,000 to 205,000 tonnes in 2026, rising to between 230,000 and 260,000 tonnes by 2028 as the expanded facilities ramp up.
The operation is expected to process about 27 million tonnes of ore this year, exceeding the new plant's annual design capacity of 25 million tonnes, the company said Wednesday. Strong equipment availability, utilisation and milling performance have helped the facility surpass its throughput target.
The higher processing rates allow Kansanshi to handle substantial quantities of lower-grade sulphide ore, helping offset declining grades as the mine expands production. The additional capacity is central to First Quantum's efforts to rebuild copper output following Cobre Panama's shutdown.
Zambia has since become the company's main copper-producing jurisdiction, accounting for about 93% of group output in 2025.
Commissioned in August 2025, the S3 expansion includes a new sulphide processing line, additional smelting capacity and a new open pit. The project nearly doubles Kansanshi's ore-milling capacity and increases smelter throughput by about 25%.
The expansion is expected to lift annual copper production to an average of 250,000 tonnes through 2044, compared with 181,183 tonnes in 2025, an increase of about 38%.
Kansanshi, once Africa's largest copper mine, produced 6% more copper last year than in 2024, helped by the commissioning of S3. The new circuit contributed about 25,000 tonnes of copper in 2025 and achieved commercial production in December.
First Quantum has forecast Kansanshi copper production of 175,000 to 205,000 tonnes in 2026, rising to between 230,000 and 260,000 tonnes by 2028 as the expanded facilities ramp up.
Copper Conc. 20%min Delivered China Cu Payable
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China refined copper producers' suspension number statistics by province by month
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